The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) welcome the appointment of six judges, who will commence on Monday, 30 November 2026.
Two judges have been appointed to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and four judges to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2).
Chief Justice the Honourable William Alstergren AO said the appointments would bring considerable experience and expertise to the Courts.
“The six appointments are particularly welcome at a time of significant and sustained demand on the Courts.
“They will strengthen our judicial capacity across a number of registries and support the Courts in continuing to provide timely access to justice for Australian families.”
The judges are:
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1)
The Honourable Justice Terry Betts – Newcastle
His Honour Judge Betts was admitted as a practitioner of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1995 and joined the Queensland Bar in 2001, specialising in family law. He joined the Newcastle Bar in 2015 and practiced principally in family law. Judge Betts currently serves as a judge of the FCFCOA (Division 2).
The Honourable Justice Nick Beaumont – Sydney
Mr Beaumont was admitted to the Bar in 2000 and appointed Senior Counsel in 2013. Mr Beaumont has extensive experience in family law, including complex property disputes, forum disputes and appeals, as well as commercial, corporations, equity and professional disciplinary matters.
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2)
Her Honour Judge Lisa O’Neill – Brisbane
Magistrate O’Neill has served as a Queensland Magistrate since 2024 and was previously a Senior Judicial Registrar of the Courts from 2020 to 2024. Magistrate O’Neill has extensive family law experience across the public and private sectors and played a significant role in developing the Courts’ Lighthouse family violence risk screening and triage model.
Her Honour Judge Sally McNamara – Parramatta
Senior Judicial Registrar McNamara joined the Courts as a Registrar in 2002, following experience in the community legal sector, Legal Aid NSW and private practice as an accredited family law specialist. Senior Judicial Registrar McNamara has most recently served as a Senior Judicial Registrar since 2021.
Her Honour Judge Jane Miller – Adelaide
Ms Miller has more than 25 years’ experience in family law. Ms Miller commenced her career as a solicitor before joining the South Australian Bar in 2019, where her practice has encompassed dispute resolution and advocacy at interlocutory, trial and appellate levels.
Her Honour Judge Anna Black – Brisbane
Ms Black commenced practice as a barrister in 2009 and has extensive experience in family law, including family violence and complex financial and parenting matters. Ms Black is also a nationally accredited mediator and qualified social worker with experience in family therapy and child welfare.
Details of swearing-in and welcome ceremonies will be announced separately.
ENDS
